Nothing fancy here, just tried and true, old fashioned, family style recipes from my kitchen in Alaska.

Friday, August 19, 2016

PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

Our 12 year old dog, Chloe, has a very sensitive stomach, Almost everything gives her nuclear gas, so I have been experimenting with dog treats for her that are dog tummy friendly.

This recipe (which she adores) is quick and easy and doesn't seem to cause her trouble. Roll the dough into appropriate size treats (small for little dogs or larger for big dogs). They are hard and crunch like a good milk bone.

Beat eggs, pumpkin, salt and dry milk until well mixed. Add flour and (using your stand mixer because dough is very stiff) and beat until smooth dough forms. If the dough seems a little sticky, add an extra tablespoon of flour.

Roll into ropes and cut into pieces like this:

Roll each section into a ball and place on Ungreased cookie sheet. These don't expand much as they bake, so you can place them fairly close together, like this:

Bake in pre-heated 350° oven for 40 minutes. If you've made BIG treats, turn the oven off after 40 minutes, but leave the goodies in the oven for an extra 20 minutes to insure they are dry. They will be hard and crunchy and store well.

I do not own a stand mixer only an electric handheld one, an old hand powered mixer from days gone by, a whisk or just using a wooden spoon is how we do all the beating and mixing for our recipes. The kids I care for and I want to make these for our neighbors' dogs and for one of their friends' dogs as Christmas Gifts. Is the dough too stiff to manage for children under 5 with me getting it started and then maybe getting or hands in there and really squishing it together or should I try to borrow a stand mixer? I will trust your judgment before starting since this is your recipe and you will know the dough best. Thank you.